7) On the train

September the first arrived and Harry was happy about it. As exited as he had been on his first day at school he waited near platform 9 ¾ for the Flemings to arrive. While he was standing there he watched loads of students with their Hogwarts trunks, barely recognized by the muggles. Harry saw families he knew by reputation or people that had worked for the order. Few of the 7th grader he knew from his own schooldays. He watched Andrew and Robin going through the barrier accompanied by an older boy, also blonde like Andrew whom Harry thought to be the brother Charles.
Time was running short as the Flemings entered the station, David behind them with the small suitcase Harry had told him to bring.

"Just in time, there was a traffic jam near Trafalgar Square." explained David's uncle holding his side. "There's the boy."

"And I got your money, Sir." Harry reached over a big brown envelope, filled with Muggle money. Mr. Fleming took it eagerly, but held himself back to open it in front of Harry.

"Let's go then, David." He put his hand on the boys shoulder and whispered: "What ever happens, trust me and keep on walking." He turned to face the barrier between platform nine and ten. Than he pushed David closer, turned his head and smiled in the direction of David's relatives.

The next moment they stepped through the gates of platform 9 ¾ leaving a stunned family Fleming behind.

"That was cool, Sir!" David called, while looking at the steaming Hogwarts Express.

"In you go than! You only got some more minutes left."

"Won't you be taking the train?"

"No way, I am not going to spoil your first trip! Don't worry. I saw Andrew and Robin already so you are not going to be alone. We are going to see each other tonight."

David watched Harry leaving and got on the train just in time. He heard a whistle blow and the doors closed. Parents called their kids to write soon, waving happily. David pitied himself for one moment, but forgot about it when he heard a familiar voice out of a compartment next to him. He opened the door and there was Robin. It was his voice he had heard and he just seemed to have finished a joke. All of the others in the compartment were laughing.

"Hi, David. We already thought you rather go to a Muggle school!"

"No way!" said David smiling and threw his suitcase on the rack over their heads.

"Where is your trunk?" asked a girl that sat next to the window.

"At school already. Who are you?"

"Melinda Purr, and you?"

"David Green, nice to meet you."

"David," said Robin "you already know Andrew, the black haired over there is Scott Duncan and the girl with the book is Rose Lake."

Melinda had noticed that David tried to avoid questions about himself. She did not want to push it on their first day. All of the other Muggle born except David told the story how they got their letters.

"What, you got informed by Harry Potter? The Harry Potter?" Scott asked Melinda and the other three boys exchanged looks. David was feeling really uncomfortable by now, but Robin saved him from telling his tale by starting to ask Andrew, Rose and Scott a million questions about the magical world.
When David looked out the window he realized that they already had left London and were now driving through fields, passing some smaller towns.

"… he told me. And by the way, does anyone know how we are going to be sorted actually?" asked Scott.

"Sorted?"

"Yes, there are four houses, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. But my brother Charles, he is a Slytherin, hasn't told me anything! He was just laughing when I kept bugging him and my mom said that I would just have to wait. I sure hope it is no test."

So it went on. David enjoyed himself; this was going to be fun.

By the time they reached the station outside of Hogsmead all of them had changed into their robes. To his surprise David had found one of his in the suitcase that had before been full of his underwear. He had just opened it to not look suspicious. He had thought to just tell the others he had forgotten to pack it, but there it was. Neatly folded and somehow small enough to fit in the suitcase. Tired and hungry they stepped onto the platform to be greeted by a giant man: "Firs' years over here!" And some moments later Robin, David and all the others saw Hogwarts for the first time. Like Harry so many years ago they were seated into small boats and crossed the lake. They were greeted by Ginny who looked down a list and made them wait for going into the great hall. David turned to Andrew: "She is a teacher? Why didn't she tell us? Did you know?"

"My brother did say something about a Professor Weasley, but they have a large family."

"Quiet now, Andrew!" said Ginny who had returned unnoticed. "Divide into pairs and follow me quietly!"

They were trilled by the great hall and when they looked up at the staff table there was Professor Dumbledore sitting in the Headmasters chair.

Harry had been waiting for the start of the feast in his office. He stood in front of the mirror, not sure if he had done the right thing. Absentminded he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to straighten it. He was feeling uncomfortable.

"Keep your hands down boy! There is no way getting them down!" said the mirror and Harry sighted and made his way to the great Hall.

He was sitting next to Dumbledore when the students entered. Most of them didn't even see him right away, they were all busy sharing their latest news.

Ginny entered the room with the first years and lead them to the front.
Harry watched the eager, scared, shy or bored faces of the first years. Then the hat started his song:

I am an old hat,
Rather ugly
But looks aren't everything
My duty is the sorting

There is a new wind blowing here
And a lot will change
But even when an era ends
Sorting stays the same

If you belong to Ravenclaw
You got lots of brains
Try your best and you will see
Your future's best it be.

When I vote for Hufflepuff
You are trying hard
And though you need a second try
You will get rewarded.

Gryffindors are brave
Get themselves in trouble
Have friends
To get them out.

If you are a Slytherin
Hear my warning here
Do the right thing, never mind
What some false friends might say.

So put me on your head, don't fear
Red, blond, brown or black
It is my choice in the end
I'm never wrong, my dear!

The Hall erupted in cheers, but there was some whispering among the students about that second part of the song.

All went quiet when Ginny explained the procedure and read the first name.

"Arasta, Glenn!" stumbled forward, sat on the three legged chair and as soon as the hat had touched her brown hair it shouted: "Ravenclaw!"

David became the first Gryffindor, what Harry was pleased to hear.
The sorting went on and Harry saw David crossing his fingers for Andrew and his face when his friend became a Slytherin. He also watched Melinda's sorting. She became a Gryffindor as did Robin White what made David forget being disappointed.

Like every year Dumbledore opened the feast with some nonsense words. There was no spell needed to get the food appearing on the long tables, but it was always funny to see the newcomers confusion change into awe.

When the rest of the feast finally vanished it was time for the Headmaster to speak.
Dumbledore stood in front of the school, like he always did.

'Will I ever look that dignified?' Harry thought.

Dumbledore began: "As I said before, welcome in Hogwarts and welcome back. I have a few announcements for the starting of the term. As you should know using magic in the corridors between classes is strictly forbidden. The caretaker Mr. Filch asked me to announce that a list of forbidden items is pinned at his door so don't trip over it. And also I want to remind you that the forbidden forest is out of bounds. Our Magical Creatures teacher Hagrid will make sure that everyone caught there still alive will get detention. And now, to some changes in the staff. Greet our new Herbology teacher Professor Ormand Nox. "

The students applauded politely as the dark haired man stood up and bowed slightly.

"And for the Charms it's Professor Gregor Wallace."

Again applause. Harry, who saw the new teachers for the first time himself was wondering why Wallace seemed so familiar?

"And then it has been a long time of being Headmaster of this school. I saw students come and go. Saw how they prepared for the future, struggling, winning and loosing. Now it is time for me to pass the school over to the next."

There was a rustle among the students, but it stopped as soon as the Headmaster opened his mouth again to speak.

"It is a great pleasure for me and it makes me very proud that especially this student of mine has returned."

Harry prepared himself mentally forgetting all about that Wallace.

"Please greet your new Headmaster. Professor Potter!"

The hall was dead silent for a moment and the next second it was a noise like beating Slytherin in the house cup. The teachers stood up to applause and some students even stood on the tables to get a better view.

That's it for now, I am leaving for Australia in three days and that is everything I have right now. I want to thank all the reviewers and the people that will react to this chapte in advance. I promise to keep on working on thist story and to post as soon as I am back to Germany.

Cya

VampireCat